CinefestOZ

Itinerary for CinefestOZ Experience – Margaret River Augusta 

Posted on by marketing

Tuesday 23rd August to Sunday 28th August 2022

  • Tuesday 23rd: and Wednesday 24th August, 2 nights in Margaret River
  • Thursday 25th August, 1 night in Augusta
  • Friday 26th and Saturday 27th August, 2 nights in Margaret River

Tuesday 23rd August

Morning: Drive to Margaret River and stop off at Bunbury Farmers Market for coffee, casual lunch, some fresh food supplies and snacks for the week ahead www.bunburyfarmersmarket.com.au

Afternoon: Choose an Adventure, Nature or Arts or Food & Wine Experience in the surrounding areas of Margaret River allowing sufficient driving time between locations.

Adventure / Nature:  

  • Cave tours and self-guided underground explorations;.
  • Mammoth, Lake and/or Jewel Caves https://www.margaretriver.com/things-to-do/attractions/caves/
  • Sections of the Cape to Cape Walk
  • https://www.walkintoluxury.com/best-sections-of-the-cape-to-cape-track-margaret-river
  • Mountain biking trails for all levels – hire a bike or bring your own
  • https://www.westaustralianexplorer.com/mountain-biking-margaret-river/
  • Hire a bike from Hairy Marron http://www.thehairymarron.com/bikes/hire/
Itinerary For Cinefestoz Experience - Margaret River Augusta  1

Image: The Pines and Compartment 10 trails

Arts:  Visit local art galleries, ceramic studios and/or artisan jewellers

  • Jahroc Gallery https://www.jahroc.com.au/
  • Payet Gallery https://payetgallery.com.au/
  • John Miller Design https://www.johnmillerdesign.com/
  • Dikes Hoffman Ceramics http://www.dilkes-hoffman.com.au/

Food & Wine: Book ahead for a memorable lunch experience and local winery visit

  • Voyager Estate Cellar Door & Restaurant https://www.voyagerestate.com.au/
  • Leeuwin Estate Cellar Door & Restaurant https://leeuwinestate.com.au/
  • Cape Mentelle Cellar Door https://www.capementelle.com.au/
  • Margaret River Distillery & Food https://distillery.com.au/
  • Si Vitners Cellar Door https://www.sivintners.com/
  • Dormilona Wines By Appointment https://www.dormilona.com.au/
  • Mr Barvel Cellar Door www.mrbarval.com (Thurs to Sunday) and indigenous art from Dilly Bag Collective 
  • Colonial Brewing Co https://www.colonialbrewingco.com.au/
  • The Beer Farm https://www.beerfarm.com.au/

6.00pm: CinefestOz Margaret River Opening Night Screening & Party – ‘6 Festivals’ Margaret River HEART

Arrive early for the WA premiere of the incredibly anticipated 6 Festivals, a film linking a story of friendship with real Australian musicians at 6 festivals around the country.

Enjoy a pre-screening reception of canapes and a welcome drink, featuring local refreshments from Forester Estate and Shelter Brewing Co, while browsing a breath-taking exhibition in the foyer by Natalie Briney.  The screening of 6 Festivals starts at 7pm. 


About ‘6 Festivals’ (84 mins Drama)
Maxie, Summer and James share a deep bond and love for music. James is the entrepreneur of the trio, his sights set on a career as a promoter. Summer has an incredible singing voice. Maxie is the maestro of mischief. When James receives a devastating diagnosis, the friends – each with burdens to bear – throw themselves into a whirlwind of festivals in an attempt to escape reality. Featuring top acts Dune Rats, G Flip, Bliss n Eso, B Wise, Peking Duk, Ruby Fields, Jerome Farah, Kobie Dee and more – and fantastic footage shot at actual festivals – 6 Festivals is a moving love letter to young friendship and the life-altering power of live music.

Late night dinner :  Bookings ahead of time for dinner reservations are essential 

  • Mikis Open Kitchen (Modern Japanese) mikisopenkitchen.com.au 
  • BrewHouse www.margaretriverbrewhouse.com.au
  • The River Hotel www.theriverhotel.com.au
  • La Scarpetta (Italian) https://www.lascarpetta.com.au/
  • Morries https://www.morries.com.au/
  • Pizzica (Italian) https://www.pizzica.com.au/
  • Swings & Roundabouts https://www.swings.com.au/taphouse-margaret-river-restaurant 
  • Settlers Tavern https://www.settlerstavern.com/
  • Tuck Shop www.margaretrivertuckshop.com.au
  • Rios www.riosmargaretriver.com.au
Itinerary For Cinefestoz Experience - Margaret River Augusta  2

Image: Rio’s

Wednesday 24th August 

Morning stroll along the beach at Gnarabup followed by coffee at The White Elephant’s temporary sea container (https://www.whiteelephantcafe.com.au/) or find a longer walking trail at https://www.westaustralianexplorer.com/margaret-rivers-best-walking-and-hiking-trails/ followed by breakfast at one of our recommended local favourites:

  • Margaret River Bakery https://www.margsbakery.com/
  • Drift Café  https://www.driftcafe.com.au/
  • Yardbird, Witchcliffe http://www.yardbyrd.com.au/
  • Blue Ginger https://www.bluegingerfinefoods.com/

Head to Augusta for the CinefestOZ Augusta Opening Night and World Premier Film Screening of ‘Unravelling’

5.30pm:  World Premier Augusta Opening Night, ‘Unravelling’, Augusta Community Resource Centre 

About ‘Unravelling’ (84 mins Drama)

Fleeing the misery of a year in lockdown in Melbourne, El and Sim, a couple in their 30’s, relocate to Byron Bay to pursue a unique opportunity. El, a poet, is the subject of a new video masterclass produced by the charismatic and domineering author Christian Divine. While El is drawn by the intoxicating pull of the local creative scene, Sim’s own writing career is going nowhere. As their relationship strains under the pressure of jealousy and deceit, Sim’s desire for a family seems increasingly incompatible with El’s burgeoning career. The love that binds them begins to unravel. 

Dinner: For the best views in town, we recommend the Augusta Hotel overlooking the Blackwood River Mouth and Flinders Bay https://www.augustahotel.com.au/

Augusta Accommodation: 

Thursday 25th August

Early breakfast and coffee at one of our recommended local favourites; 

  • Thousand Suns Café, 3 Blackwood Ave, Augusta WA 6290
  • Coffee and Ceramics @twoseascollective, 75 Blackwood Avenue Augusta

9am – 12pm: Learn how to paint in a friendly relaxed atmosphere at Pics Studio Art Workshop, Augusta. Bookings must be made in advance as places are limited. Call 0435830895 or @pics_studio_augusta. Supplies included and beginners welcome. 

Lunch:  A local favourite lunching destination is the Ragged Robin Café (93 Blackwood Ave) with unique antique and retro collectibles or for a finer meal at the foreshore try The Colour Patch  https://thecolourpatchaugusta.com/. Alternatively head back to Margaret River and stop off for lunch at the acclaimed Glenarty Road Farm Experience & Restaurant, Bookings must be made in advance. https://www.glenartyroad.com.au/

2pm: Augusta is a prime location to sight the migrating humpback and southern right whales. The whales use Augusta’s Flinders Bay as a resting point, it is one of their first stops since leaving Antarctica as they make their major migration north to the warmer waters. 10am and 2pm whale watching tours daily (allow 2-2.5hours).

6.00pm:  CinefestOZ Short Film Awards Screening with before and after music and drinks service at the HEART, Margaret River  

Short film finalists vying for the festival’s highest honours are screened at this event, with presentations made over a number of categories. An event suitable for filmmakers and festival audiences, the CinefestOZ Short Film Awards shine a  spotlight on the depth of talent within Australia’s film family. 

Doors open at 6pm for a welcome drink, canapes and beats by DJ ZeroGrowth with the music continuing at a post awards celebration at the HEART.

Local dinner recommendations:  Bookings ahead of time for dinner reservations are essential 

  • Mikis Open Kitchen (Modern Japanese) mikisopenkitchen.com.au 
    • BrewHouse www.margaretriverbrewhouse.com.au
    • The River Hotel www.theriverhotel.com.au
    • Morries https://www.morries.com.au/
    • Pizzica (Italian) https://www.pizzica.com.au/
    • Swings & Roundabouts https://www.swings.com.au/taphouse-margaret-river-restaurant 
    • Settlers Tavern https://www.settlerstavern.com/
    • Tuck Shop www.margaretrivertuckshop.com.au
    • Rios www.riosmargaretriver.com.au

Friday 26th August

Morning stroll along the beach at Gnarabup followed by coffee at The White Elephant’s temporary sea container (https://www.whiteelephantcafe.com.au/) or find a longer walking trail at https://www.westaustralianexplorer.com/margaret-rivers-best-walking-and-hiking-trails/ followed by breakfast at one of our recommended local favourites:

  • Margaret River Bakery https://www.margsbakery.com/
  • Drfit Café  https://www.driftcafe.com.au/
  • Yardbird, Witchcliffe http://www.yardbyrd.com.au/
  • Blue Ginger https://www.bluegingerfinefoods.com/

Plan a day full of Adventure, Nature or Arts or Food & Wine Experience in the surrounding areas of Margaret River allowing sufficient driving time between locations.

Adventure / Nature:  

  • Cave tours and self-guided underground explorations;.
  • Mammoth, Lake and/or Jewel Caves https://www.margaretriver.com/things-to-do/attractions/caves/
  • Sections of the Cape to Cape Walk
  • https://www.walkintoluxury.com/best-sections-of-the-cape-to-cape-track-margaret-river
  • Mountain biking trails for all levels – hire a bike or bring your own
  • https://www.westaustralianexplorer.com/mountain-biking-margaret-river/
  • Hire a bike from Hairy Marron http://www.thehairymarron.com/bikes/hire/

Arts:  Visit local art galleries, ceramic studios and/or artisan jewellers

  • Jahroc Gallery https://www.jahroc.com.au/
  • Payet Gallery https://payetgallery.com.au/
  • John Miller Design https://www.johnmillerdesign.com/
  • Dikes Hoffman Ceramics http://www.dilkes-hoffman.com.au/

Food & Wine: Book ahead for a memorable lunch experience and local winery visit

  • Voyager Estate Cellar Door & Restaurant https://www.voyagerestate.com.au/
  • Leeuwin Estate Cellar Door & Restaurant https://leeuwinestate.com.au/
  • Cape Mentelle Cellar Door https://www.capementelle.com.au/
  • Margaret River Distillery & Food https://distillery.com.au/
  • Si Vitners Cellar Door https://www.sivintners.com/
  • Dormilona Wines By Appointment https://www.dormilona.com.au/
  • Mr Barvel Cellar Door www.mrbarval.com (Thurs to Sunday) and indigenous art from Dilly Bag Collective 
  • Colonial Brewing Co https://www.colonialbrewingco.com.au/
  • The Beer Farm https://www.beerfarm.com.au/

For an early casual dinner ahead of the film screening we recommend:

  • The River https://www.theriverhotel.com.au/
    • The Brewhouse BrewHouse www.margaretriverbrewhouse.com.au
    • Pizzica (Italian) https://www.pizzica.com.au/
    • Swings & Roundabouts https://www.swings.com.au/taphouse-margaret-river-restaurant 
    • Settlers Tavern https://www.settlerstavern.com/
    • Tuck Shop www.margaretrivertuckshop.com.au

8.15pm:  CinefestOZ WA Premier ‘Greenhouse By Joost’ MIFF@CinefestOZ’, HEART Margaret River 

About ‘Greenhouse By Joost’ (85mins Documentary Feature )

Imagine a house that grows its own food. That’s the vision of environmental campaigner Joost Bakker, who was once dubbed the ‘Poster Boy of Zero-Waste Living’ by The New York Times. This inspiring feature documentary follows Bakker as he builds a self-sustaining home, an ecosystem that provides its occupants with water, energy, shelter and nourishment. Joined in his work by internationally acclaimed chefs Matt Stone and Jo Barrett, Bakker faces his fair share of challenges to finish the home. Bureaucratic delays, COVID shutdowns and blackouts all threaten the build. But ultimately, Greenhouse is an uplifting look at the teamwork and ingenuity behind a paradigm-shifting project that bursts with life. Filmed over the course of a year in beautiful central Melbourne, Greenhouse cleverly incorporates social media content to demonstrate the reach and influence of Bakker’s project. The documentary was created by the multi-award- winning Australian production company GoodThing Productions. 

Saturday 27th August 

7.30am – 11.30am: Experience the freshest regional local produce at the Margaret River Farmers Market https://www.margaretriverfarmersmarket.com.au/

Today’s the day to fulfill any of your Adventure, Nature, Arts or Food & Wine Experience recommendations from the previous days. If you’re in need of additional inspiration then visit https://www.margaretriver.com/

3.00pm: CinefestOZ FrenchFilm ‘Anais in Love’, HEART, Margaret River 

About Anais In Love (98mins Drama, Comedy, LGBTQIA+ )

Anaïs is thirty and broke. She has a lover, but she’s not sure she loves him anymore. She meets Daniel, who immediately falls for her. But Daniel lives with Emilie – whom Anaïs also falls for. This is the story of a restless young woman. And the story of a profound desire. This ménage à trois elegantly navigates fantasy, sensuality and melancholy in a film that grows in intensity with each passing minute. Reminiscent
of an Eric Rohmer or Greta Gerwig film, comic situations abound in Charline Bourgeois-Tacquet’s sparkling debut feature, with writing that draws sincere and captivating performances from Podalydès as a man out of his depth and Tedeschi as a woman on the edge of awakening. 

6.00pm: WA Premier Screening ‘GRAVEL ROAD “Iwarra Murputjara” and Margaret River Closing Night, HEART MR


Join us for a special premiere event of Gravel Road  “Iwarra Murputjara” followed by performance by proud Spinifex Country fellas from the Great Victoria Desert in WA; The Desert Stars.

The evening will commence with a complimentary drink and canapés prior to the WA premiere screening of the film. At 7pm the screening of Gravel Road “Iwarra Murputjara” starts. After the film, return to the Lobby to enjoy the first Margaret River performance by The Desert Stars.

About Gravel Road”Iwarra Murputjara”   (68 mins Documentary)

In Australia’s remotest community of Tjuntjuntjara, lives Jay Minning – a singer-songwriter and frontman of the rock band the Desert Stars. As the band hit the road to head out on their first tour we see the trials and tribulations that beset them. From van trouble, to smashed windows, to navigating the infamous Gravel Road the journey Jay shares with us his passion for music, his inspiration and a rare glimpse into his Indigenous way of life 

Local dinner recommendations:  Bookings ahead of time for dinner reservations are essential 

  • Mikis Open Kitchen (Modern Japanese) mikisopenkitchen.com.au 
    • BrewHouse www.margaretriverbrewhouse.com.au
    • The River Hotel www.theriverhotel.com.au
    • Morries https://www.morries.com.au/
    • Pizzica (Italian) https://www.pizzica.com.au/
    • Swings & Roundabouts https://www.swings.com.au/taphouse-margaret-river-restaurant 
    • Settlers Tavern https://www.settlerstavern.com/
    • Tuck Shop www.margaretrivertuckshop.com.au
    • Rios www.riosmargaretriver.com.au

Sunday 28th August 

If you’re wanting to delay your departure from Margaret River then sleep in, take it slow with a beachside brunch at the Sea Garden in Prevelly and stick around for one or more of the remaining CinefestOZ Margaret River screenings.

1.00pm:  CinefestOZ Screening and Filmmaker Q&A ‘Blaze’ , HEART Margaret River 

About ‘Blaze’, 101 mins Drama, Thriller

Blaze, a young teenager, is the sole witness to a woman being violently attacked, left catatonic with shock, she struggles to make sense of what she saw. She retreats into inner worlds, where the shimmering magic dragon who has been her companion since childhood, allows her to activate her own rage and ultimately find renewal so she can walk into her future unafraid. A unique hybrid of live action, puppetry, VFX and animation, Blaze is an ode to female courage and a celebration of the power of the imagination. 

Filmmaker Q&A after the screening will take place after the screening. 

3.30pm:  CinefestOZ Aussies Abroad Film Screening ‘Falling for Figaro’, HEART Margaret River 

About Falling for Figaro, 104 mins Comedy, Romance

Falling for Figaro is a romantic comedy set in the brutal world of opera singing competitions. The story unfolds in the tiny Scottish village of Drumbuchan, the home of Meghan Geoffrey- Bishop, a fearsome singing teacher who believes that only with a broken heart can you really learn how to sing. Preparing her two students, Max and Millie, for the same competition, Meghan manipulates their love lives of to get the best performance out of them. 

6.00pm:  CinefestOZ Screening ‘Evicted  A Modern Romance’, HEART Margaret River  

With an impending eviction hanging over their heads, freshly unemployed Maggie, gig-economy worker Will, and feuding couple Isabelle and May embark on a seemingly futile hunt for an affordable share house. Along the way, they encounter
toilet kitchens, attic bedrooms, and questionable realtors. As Will forms an unlikely friendship with a war veteran, Isabelle hits it off with her local barista, and endless mishaps, coincidences, and hook- ups gone awry abound. 

About ‘EVICTED A Modern Romance’ (115mins Comedy, Adventure Romance, LGBTIQ+ )

MARGARET RIVER ACCOMMODATION

  • Private Properties www.privateproperties.com.au
  • Margarets In Town Apartments https://www.margaretsintown.com.au/
  • Stay Margaret River https://staymargaretriver.com.au/
  • Margaret River Beach Resort https://www.margaretsbeachresort.com.au

AUGUSTA ACCOMMMODATION